Game Notes
It's been a struggle on the gridiron for the Kentucky Wesleyan football team this season, and, despite a return to a more level playing field today in terms of the opposition, another significant challenge awaits the Panthers.
Hosting Urbana at 1 p.m. in Steele Stadium, KWC is still searching for its first victory in 2011.
Last Saturday, coach
Brent Holsclaw's Panthers (0-5) suffered a 57-0 defeat at the hands of Football Championship Series representative Liberty, at Lynchburg, Va.
Urbana (2-3) is riding a two-game losing skid of its own, including last Saturday 28-12 defeat at Southwest Baptist.
The Blue Knights, who have also lost to (NCAA Division II) No. 9 Wayne State (69-24) and Walsh (22-20), has posted victories over Charleston (31-17) and William Jewell (24-6).
Urbana is led by quarterback-running back DJ Mendenhall, who has rushed for 476 yards and scored four touchdowns. Mendenhall has teamed with fellow QB Evan Gehlert to go 87-of-166 through the air for 1,275 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Blue Knights' go-to receiver is Matt Hightower, who has 29 receptions for 376 yards and two TDs. Urbana's most dangerous pass-catcher, however, is Joe Webb, who has caught 14 aerials for 378 yards (27.0 per catch) and three scores.
At Liberty, the Wesleyan offense was held completely in check -- the Panthers passing for only 66 yards and rushing for just eight.
Senior quarterback
Chris Owen will attempt to re-ignite the KWC offense (15 ppg) against a Blue Knight defensive unit that surrenders an average of 421 yards per outing.
Last season, the Blue Knights defeated the Panthers 39-25 in Urbana, Ohio.
